Chapter 24
brOOKE
Brooke stood on the stage at The Magic Lantern, doing her best not to sing too loudly as she was all too aware that her voice wasn’t the best in the world.
Aubrey had just sung the first verse of Sunshine on Leith, and he’d been word perfect.
The rest of them had joined in with the chorus and now it was Harmony’s turn.
The Hollywood star hadn’t been known for musicals, but there was no doubt in Brooke’s mind that Harmony could easily have played a starring role in them.
Her voice was pure and sweet and every note was perfectly in tune.
As Florrie, Immi and Millie joined in halfway through the verse, their voices soared together, and the emotion in Harmony’s voice was surprisingly touching. It made tears well up in Brooke’s eyes.
She glanced over at Danny and her heart melted. He looked terrified. Even though everyone had assured him – quite truthfully – that his voice was amazing and that he sounded fantastic, he was still a bag of nerves about performing alone. She wished he had more confidence in himself.
When it came to his turn to sing the verse, Danny seemed to forget his nerves. His voice was strong and true, and as Brooke looked around, she could see the admiration in everyone’s faces. Even Silas Alexander looked quietly pleased, although she doubted he’d ever tell Danny how good he really was.
As the final notes of the chorus faded and the music ended, everyone cheered in relief.
It was the first time they’d done a perfect rehearsal.
No one had forgotten the lyrics, everyone had come in at exactly the right places, and the instruments and voices were in perfect time, which wasn’t easy when living musicians were accompanying ghostly singers.
It helped that Immi was singing most of the song as Sam and Amelia could keep time with her, while Lawrie’s violin pieces added the finishing touch to what, Brooke thought, was a pretty good effort, and one she was sure that Callie and Brodie would love.
‘At last, signs of improvement,’ Silas said gruffly.
‘Well,’ Amelia said at the same time, ‘I don’t know about you, but I thought that sounded fantastic.’
Silas scowled. ‘And how would you know? You can’t hear a note!’
Lawrie shook his head. ‘No need to be so rude, Silas. Amelia was going by the instruments and Immi’s voice. I thought it sounded spectacular, frankly. Well done, everyone.’
Everyone clapped in delight. Sam placed his guitar on the floor and said, ‘Just as a matter of interest, have you come up with a name for this group yet?’
‘A name?’ The older ghosts looked puzzled. ‘What sort of name?’
‘Do we need a name?’ asked Lawrie.
‘I think it would be fun to have one,’ Sam said, and Amelia nodded in agreement. ‘If nothing else we want to introduce you properly. And it sounds more professional than The Ghosts, don’t you think?’
‘Like The Beatles?’ Millie said happily. ‘Maybe The Ghost Beatles?’ She laughed to show she wasn’t being serious, much to everyone’s relief.
‘The Funky Phantoms,’ Immi said with a giggle. ‘There’s an old cartoon called something like that.’
‘Funky phantoms indeed,’ said Agnes, shaking her head. ‘Whoever heard the like?’
One by one, the ghosts suggested various names. Some were far too pretentious (Walter). Some were dreary in the extreme (Isaac and Peter). Some were downright silly (as suggested by Ronnie and Bill, Robert, John and Florrie).
Then Harmony cleared her throat and said, ‘Hey, what do you guys think to High Spirits?’
There was some muttering as they all considered it.
‘You know what?’ Immi said. ‘I like that.’
‘I like it too,’ Danny said, and Aubrey nodded in agreement.
‘What do you like?’ Sam asked Immi.
‘Harmony has suggested High Spirits,’ Immi explained. ‘What do you think?’
‘I think it’s preposterous,’ Silas informed her.
‘Fabulous,’ Amelia said, beaming. ‘High Spirits it is then!’
* * *
Danny
Danny couldn’t wipe the smile from his face when, as the ghosts filed out of The Magic Lantern, he spotted Rory waiting for him.
‘Ooh,’ Polly said keenly as Rory smiled and waved at him, ‘who’s that attractive gentleman?’
‘My brother,’ Danny said proudly. ‘He’s staying in Rowan Vale for a few days. I can’t believe he’s come to meet me.’
Polly whistled. ‘Well, he looks very handsome, just like you, Danny. Two very good-looking brothers. Isn’t that right, Brooke?’
Danny didn’t hear what Brooke’s reply was as he was too focused on Rory. ‘Do you mind if I go with him?’ he asked her, finally looking round. Brooke, he noticed suddenly, looked a bit tense. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, concerned.
She nodded. ‘I’m fine. I’ll hang out with Polly for a bit. You go and see your brother.’
Danny hesitated, then he dropped a kiss on her cheek. ‘Thanks, Brooke. I’ll see you back at the flat.’
Brooke grabbed his hand. ‘Danny, why don’t you take Rory back to the flat? Show him where you live? I’m okay going back to Polly’s, aren’t I, Poll?’
Polly nodded. ‘Of course. We’ll have a good old chinwag.’
‘Are you sure?’ Danny asked, surprised.
‘I’m sure,’ she said.
Danny squeezed her hand and hurried over to Rory, who smiled and said, ‘Good session?’
‘Really good. It was the first time we’ve managed to do everything right. And we’ve got a name now. High Spirits.’
Rory laughed. ‘I like it. Very appropriate. Do you fancy a walk?’
‘Would you like to come back to my flat? Brooke’s gone to meet a friend so we can have a good catch-up and you can see where I spend my time when I’m not being a local rock star.’
Rory smiled. ‘I’d like that. Thank you.’
Danny led the way to Churchside and Rory admired the Swinging Sixties shops.
‘This is so cool! This really is an amazing village, Danny.’
Danny beamed. ‘It’s not bad, is it?’
‘You always wanted to live in a country village,’ Rory reminded him. ‘And now you are.’
‘Well, sort of.’ Danny raised his eyebrows.
‘I wouldn’t say I’m exactly living here, though.
Oh, it’s okay! I was only joking,’ he added hastily, seeing the happiness dim in Rory’s eyes.
‘Honestly, you’re right. This village is the sort of place I dreamed of.
There are certainly worse places to be a ghost, I’m sure of that. ’
They reached the hairdressing salon and Danny said, ‘I’ll go through. Just tell one of the stylists who you are so they know you’re not a burglar.’
He walked through the door and Rory opened it and followed him into the salon, where four women were in various stages of having their hair done.
Danny waited by the door that was for staff members only while Rory briefly explained who he was. The woman, who’d switched off her hairdryer to listen nodded, clearly distracted. ‘Yes, no worries. Go on up, my lovely.’
‘They really do take all this in their stride, don’t they?’ Rory asked, amazed, as he followed Danny up the stairs.
‘It’s a very strange place.’
‘I wonder why it’s the way it is?’ Rory mused. ‘Does anyone have any theories?’
‘Like I said, there’s some speculation that it’s to do with the standing stones, or being on ley lines.
There’s also a stone age barrow, so… But the stones and the barrow might have been put there because this area was special.
Truth is, no one really knows.’ He gestured to the front door of his flat. ‘After you.’
Rory opened the door and walked in. Danny followed, then Rory shut the door after them. He looked around, curious.
‘So this is where you live.’
‘Yes. Home for the last eighteen years.’ Danny sighed. ‘It’s not very homely, is it? But we can’t complain. They’re very good to us.’
Rory gazed around him, clearly taking in the details.
‘The living room’s a good size,’ he said. ‘And you have a great view over the Swinging Sixties Street.’
‘Yes, that’s something,’ Danny agreed. ‘It’s nice to see people coming and going. From the bedroom windows it’s views over the fields, which is a nice contrast. You can have a look round if you like. Not that there’s much to see – just two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. Very basic.’
Rory had a brief look. ‘You know, what you need are some homely touches.’ He thought for a moment. ‘And some of your own things.’
Danny brightened immediately. ‘Seriously?’
‘Why not? I’m, er, pretty sure Kirsty has some of your things stored away.
I could ask her to part with them and bring them here for you.
We could brighten the place up a bit. You could ask Brooke how she’d like it done.
I’d be happy to come back in a few weeks and bring you some cushions and a rug or something.
You could choose your colour scheme. We can add pictures, posters, anything you like.
Hey, and photographs! Would you like photos, Danny?
I’m sure we could find you plenty of pics of Mum and Dad, and Brooke’s family.
I could get you a pinboard and put it up on the wall and pin some up for you so you wouldn’t have to worry about turning the pages of a photo album or something.
I could even get you a digital photo frame. ’
‘Wow, Rory. I don’t know what to say…’ Danny gazed at his brother in gratitude. ‘That’s so kind of you. And you really want to come back here?’
‘Why not? I mean, if it’s okay with you of course.
I don’t see why we couldn’t come back here three or four times a year for a reunion.
And in the meantime, how would you feel about me sending letters to the owner at Harling Hall?
You said she was very understanding. Do you think she’d be happy to read them to you, or at least send someone who would?
That way I could let you know what was going on at home and with the family. ’
Danny’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Honestly Rory, I don’t know what to say. That would be amazing. You’re the best brother ever!’
Rory gave him a half-hearted smile. ‘I wouldn’t go that far.’